Heather Bragman / The Post-Standard, 2008Bass-baritone Jimi James (left) performs with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra during Handel's Messiah at Most Holy Rosary Church in Syracuse in this photo from Dec. 14, 2008.
Syracuse, NY -- Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, like music organizations nationwide, has not escaped the economic downturn. And, there are no guarantees of government funding and corporate contributions for the orchestra, which will celebrate its 50th concert season in 2010-2011.

The times are challenging, is the refrain echoed by Edward Kochian, SSO’s interim director, and Rocco Mangano, board chairman. The two have spoken with state legislators and U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei. But with state and federal governments wrestling with budget crises, no promises can be made.

Maffei has offered to try to help the symphony by submitting a request for $200,000 in federal funding, said Michael Whyland, the congressman’s chief of staff.

But the aid is far from guaranteed. The request must go through the fiscal 2011 federal appropriations process, and no decisions are likely until October at the earliest, Whyland said.

The orchestra is returning to a reliable source from the past. A solicitation letter will be mailed Friday to current and former donors seeking $300,000 in contributions, to be matched by the symphony’s board.

The goal of $600,000 will be used for day-to-day operating expenses for the 2009-2010 season, said Nicki Inman, vice president of patron development. While there is no fundraising deadline, Inman hopes the goal is met by June, well before SSO’s fiscal year ends Aug. 3.

Does the appeal letter signal that the SSO needs a cash infusion to continue its season?

“It signals that the community needs to support us; that’s really the way it’s structured,” Mangano said. “That’s always been the case, in good times and bad.”

Only 30 percent of the orchestra’s $7.4 million budget is covered by ticket sales, he said. The SSO relies on corporate, government and community support to operate.

State Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, in the past, regularly secured $200,000 annually for the orchestra.

“It’s difficult to say what the final situation is going to be with this (state) budget because there’s no real negotiations,” DeFrancisco said. “But I would be very surprised if there’s any funds available for the symphony, and certainly not in the amounts in the past we were able to provide.”

Last May, the SSO also made a community appeal for $250,000, which was matched by the Central New York Community Foundation and Allyn Foundation, Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli, D-Syracuse, and board member David Ridings, said Inman.

The money was raised by the end of July and used for operating expenses for the 2008-2009 season.

Andrew Zaplatynsky, concertmaster and violinist with the orchestra, wrote the latest solicitation letter.In it he cites recent concerts — Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Handel’s “Messiah” — as being memorable during his 29 years with the orchestra. Zaplatynsky expressed his hopes for the continuation of SSO concerts in asking for financial support.